Health care group infection control co-ordinator Jan Spencer said a rise in the number of people visiting the department with gastro did not necessarily indicate a gastro increase in the community, but more that people were attending when it might not be necessary.

Mrs Spencer said gastro could be quite serious, particularly for young or elderly people, but it was generally not a serious illness that needed medical attention at the hospital.

“If people have symptoms for more than 24 hours and are in a higher risk category, it is understandable for them to seek medical attention, because gastroenteritis can lead to other issues such as severe dehydration,” she said.

“But for the majority of people, they should be able to recover somewhat within a day.

“We sympathise with people because it is very unpleasant, but the virus simply needs time to pass through their system.”

Mrs Spencer said people should use strict hand-washing practices such as individual hand towels if anyone in their home had gastro.

“It is preventable, but it also spreads very easily. We ask people to quarantine themselves while unwell,” she said.

“If people do attend the hospital, we ask they notify staff immediately of their symptoms to try to avoid anyone else contracting the illness.”